ebm-papst Fans, Blowers and Technology

At ebm-papst, our philosophy is focused on constantly trying to improve the effect the company has on the environment, whether through the products manufactured here or by the actions of those that represent the company. A recent undertaking was the installation of solar panels on the Tech Center and Manufacturing Facility at 110 Hyde Road. The solar panels became operational on June 16, 2011. The power generated by the panels is enough to satisfy the needs for powering the Tech Center offices. At the peak output, the panels are capable of producing 50kw of electricity.

Some facts and figures:

• 238 solar panels

• 32 Mega-watt hours have been generated to date

• Daily electricity production is more than enough to power the Tech Center offices

• Environmental equivalent to planting 425 trees

This is an aerial shot of the new solar panels on the Tech Center and Manufacturing Facility at ebm-papst. In the background are the corporate offices.

 The ErP Directive (Energy-related Products) is a plan set forth by the 27 members of the European Union to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 20% by 2020. This multi-named directive (also known as the eco-design directive in Germany and formerly known as the EuP Directive) has two stages for the process of removing energy burning products from the European Market. Starting on January 1^st, 2013, 30% of fans on the European Market will not satisfy regulations. 2 years later, another 20% will be pushed of the market for more energy efficient models.

Which fans are affected?

Fans of all types (axial fans, centrifugal fans with forward or backward curved blades, cross-flow and diagonal fans) between 0.125 kW and 500 kW electrical power input are affected. This applies to fans that are operated as "stand-alone" devices and those which run as components integrated in a device or system.

From what point on is the directive binding? 

1st stage starts January 2013
2nd stage starts January 2015

How will it be implemented?

The EU defines the minimum efficiency levels in the ErP implementation regulation for fans. These are defined at best operating point based on electrical power input. To decide whether a fan satisfies the ErP Directive, the efficiency of the complete fan is assessed, i.e. the unit of control electronics (if fitted), motor and fan impeller.

To which countries does the directive apply?

The directive will be mandatory for all 27 EU countries. The directive applies to all fans sold or imported in Europe as well as those integrated as components of other devices that are imported into Europe.

Why has this law come into being?

With the aim of reducing CO₂ emissions considerably!

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Campaigns for ‘being green’ are everywhere. The plastic water bottle I’m drinking out of uses about 1/3 of its label just to tell you that they’ve redesigned their bottles in an effort to be green. Here’s an idea, use less paper and make a smaller label. On my desk, a box of all natural sweetener - that’s made of recycled fiber - requests that you recycle it once it’s empty (and I will). More noticeable than that I see green buttons filled with white checks everywhere I look - the symbol for ebm-papst’s own green campaign, GreenTech.   

  Less of a campaign, and more a way of life, GreenTech is a name  put to the philosophy ebm-papst has used for decades. "Each new  product that we develop has to be better than its predecessor in terms of economy and ecology." An example of that philosophy in action is the ACmaxx series. This series started as an attempt to advance the standard technology of the basic  AC fan. The problem with the basic AC fan is its poor efficiency compared to DC technology.

• By giving our fan the ability to operate on AC mains power around the world, while retaining the AC fan’s mounting dimensions, a new standard was created. But this wasn’t good enough.

• While the ACmaxx could fit applications new and old because of its wide voltage range and compact dimensions, there was one problem. Due to the complexity of the electronics, the installation depth couldn’t replace all AC fans. Our next step was streamlining this series into an even better model – the i-Maxx.

The i-Maxx takes the ACmaxx concept to a whole new level.

• By integrating the drive, fan and converter electronics into the motor hub, the i-Maxx has the same dimensions of conventional AC fans, while maintaining the ability to connect to worldwide AC mains.

• We didn’t stop there. The i-maxx is also quieter, more compact, and more efficient than its predecessor. 

This way of life is not just for designing new and more efficient fans. It’s also in practice in the offices and in building the factories, locally and internationally. At the US corporate headquarters in Farmington, CT, and throughout all of the international locations, the employees are urged to recycle, not just bottles and cans, but paper as well, with several paper bins located throughout the office. On of the factories located in Hollenbach, Germany, uses solar power to generate its own energy. The factory was also designed to convert residual heat into a usable ventilation system. Here, at the corporate headquarters in Farmington, a renovation was just completed. Solar panels are up and running, providing our building with lighting that shuts off after a period of inactivity. That will keep us from being too sedentary- but that’s another issue for another company. Many companies are jumping on the green bandwagon, while ebm-papst has been driving.